Peacekeepers

Chapter 12: Misunderstood

As they healed, they had moved from the basement to start resting in the back of the shop with Anne as she read, Diane helping her with research as they passed the time while Sebastian was quietly reading to Ominis on a sofa nearby.

"This research is very strange, Anne." Diane said from the chair next to her, now with her own notebook as she took scribbles of notes occasionally.

"I find it very fascinating. The similarities between the old folktales about the origin of magic are so interesting." Anne said with a smile as she read.

"It is odd that there's so many similarities, but also so many differences." Diane said thoughtfully. "The similarities are the sun and the moon coming together, and having 12 children. But then after that it's different for each region."

Sebastian couldn't help but overhear them, pausing his reading to look over to Diane curiously. "12 children, did you say?"

Diane was surprised he has been listening, but nodded. "Yeah, and they each represent a different role in the creation of the world."

Sebastian frowned thoughtfully.

"That is Death's territory." Love said softly. "I cannot interfere."

"So you do have rules you follow." He said with a raised eyebrow.

"More like agreements." She said with a weary sigh. "They do not interfere in my realms of influence, and I do not disrupt theirs."

He sat up a bit, tensing against Ominis, who let out a sound of concern. "What's wrong?" Ominis asked softly, not able to move much still.

"Twelve doors." Sebastian said quietly.

Ominis gasped forcefully enough that it hurt his wound, gripping it in pain as he moaned.

"Ominis!" Diane said in concern, quickly putting her book down to move over to him, running her hand through his hair soothingly as he gritted his teeth.

"Do you need more dittany? I have some just coming off the burner." Garreth poked his head into the room from the front of the shop.

"If you could, that would be great." Sebastian said, holding Ominis' shoulders in concern as well.

"Stop fussing so much, it's getting better." Ominis grumbled, a bit flustered from all the sudden attention.

"Oh I'm going to fuss." Diane said firmly. "Whether you like it or not."

"Better listen to her, Ominis. She means business." Sebastian chuckled softly.

Sebastian knew why Ominis had reacted so strongly, though. Ominis seen things in the department of mysteries that he couldn't. He described them as streams of magic floating through the air, the place filled with it. Love had been too bright for him to look at, which just showed how much power she truly had.

"I think after things settle down I may need to head back to the Ministry." Sebastian said quietly, looking down to Ominis.

Diane looked to him in surprise, having not understood what had made Ominis react like that. Why would Sebastian need to go visit love? That didn't make any sense with what they had been talking about... Unless maybe Love might know something...

Oh.

OH.

"Do you think-?" She looked up to him curiously.

"I'm not sure." Sebastian shrugged, Ominis shifting with the movements as he leaned back against his chest.

"And what exactly are we talking about?" Anne said curiously, looking between the three of them.